What is Chicken Shop?
Do you even need to ask? This is the second Chicken Shop in the ever-expanding Soho House restaurant portfolio, with the original still drawing in the crowds in Kentish Town. Like it says on the tin, its sole focus is on the mighty chicken.
So where is it again?
It’s the first time Soho House have branched out so far from central London. They’ve parked up amongst the swathes of identikit Asian restaurants in what used to be a greasy spoon. Tooting, an unlikely location in zone 3 South London, must be beaming at this new admission to this busy high street.
Who's it suitable for?
Those who don’t like chicken need not apply - this is literally all they do. There are no other options, not even for the veggies.
When we went on a Saturday lunch there was a real mix – families, groups of girls and couples. The staff let us know they’ve had queues since it opened two weeks ago due to their no booking policy, but they will take your number and call you when your table is ready. It's also surprisingly small, so big groups are a no.
Where's the best place to sit?
The room is divided in two, with both sections having bars to sit around. The front has the rotisserie where you can chat to the chefs and the back has floor tables too. As it's no bookings, it's generally a case of get what you’re given but we're sure if you felt the need to sit at the bar, you could put in the request.
So it's chicken, chicken or chicken?
Now you’re learning. It's organic Norfolk chicken too if you’re asking. It's all cooked the same way, poached first and then roasted with paprika, garlic and lemon and served with hot or smoky sauce for dipping.
You can pick from a quarter, half or whole chicken and there’s a host of sides to accompany it. We chose them all - corn on the cob, butter and avocado salad, crinkle cut chips and coleslaw, all served in oh-so-trendy enamel bowls. So we, er, pretty much ate the whole menu. The staff must be used to eyes bigger than bellies as they offered us a doggybag for the parts of the chicken that we didn’t get a chance to devour.
Greasy faces wiped, we weighed up the deserts. There were only three and all looked predictably naughty – chocolate brownie, apple pie or lemon cheesecake, served with your choice of cream or home made ice cream.
What about drink?
The list is short and sweet, with three red, three white and three rose described as “house, decent or good”. Equally there are three beers, one cider and 5 spirits on offer, with Prosecco by the glass but no cocktails.
We’d also suggest heading down to the Tram and Social for a spiced Daiquiri or Little Bar for a SW17 – Somerset apple brandy, prosecco and bitters.
Overall thoughts?
A cheap and cheerful night out with a pal or lunch with the family, this cosy local chicken joint with friendly staff serves up what you’re looking for at a very reasonable price point (£14,50 for a whole chicken) with the knowledge that you are eating a well treated bird.
Chicken Shop is at 141 Tooting Hight Street, London SW17 0SY. Follow Chicken Shop on Twitter @ChickenShop.
Prices were correct at time of writing. Hot Dinners were invited to eat at Chicken Shop
